Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the Cambridge Somerville Resource Guide?
Cambridge Somerville Resource Guide (CSRG) is an online database of public, non-profit human service programs available to Cambridge and Somerville residents. The guide originated in 1999, when Cambridge Community Partnerships for Children convened a series of community meetings to explore possibilities for sharing information and resources among family and child service providers. The vision for the guide grew through more planning with the Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs and the Agenda for Children, a collaborative Cambridge agency designed to support families and children. The database first went online in February 2004, and has since been a resource used by local providers and residents. Financial support for the database was provided by the Agenda for Children, along with the Cambridge Health Alliance/Somerville Community Health Foundation.
What types of organizations are included?
Local, public and not for profit agencies that provide human service programs or events for residents of Cambridge and Somerville, Massachusetts.
How is the CSRG organized?
The database is organized using 28 main search categories of services. Almost all of the service categories have their own set of sub-categories that allow a person searching to narrow down the scope of their search results if they wish. The main and sub-categories were chosen so a common language could be used to identify similar types of human services when searching the database.
Maintenance of the database is an ongoing endeavor. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of CSRG data. The ever-changing nature of human services means some data may have changed since it was last updated. If you find information that has changed or is incorrect, please e-mail us or use our Comment/Feedback form found at the bottom of each program listing to share your comments with us.
If I offer a local program or service, why should I list it on CambridgeSomervilleResourceGuide.org?
By listing on CSRG.org, you will help people who need your services find you! Listing will also help other human service professionals learn about your agency and the programs you offer. Another important outcome of listing on this site: You will increase your agency's ranking/search visibility on Google.
Is there a cost for listing programs on CSRG?
No, submitting a listing for your agency's program is free. If you offer more than one program, we encourage you to list all of them.
How long will it take to submit a program listing?
If you already know how to summarize your program's services and are clear on who you serve and in what capacity, it should take around 10 minutes to submit a program listing.
Is CSRG training available?
Yes. This site has an online training video to help you search for programs. However, the Information and Referral Coordinator/Database Manager provides training sessions to help users become more familiar and comfortable with the CSRG. These free sessions are available for your organization at either our site or yours. To request a training, e-mail us at csrginfo@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6966.
Do you have a paper version of the database?
We do not currently have an updated paper version. The best thing to do to connect others with this information would be to print listings you want to share. You can do this by clicking on the printer friendly link when on the page of a record. You can also print specific search results that will give you a list of programs and their contact information. If you don't have access to a printer and would like to have printed information of certain listings, please email or call 617-349-6966 to reqeust this.
